Wired for wildlife: anonymous anti-snare warriors make strides
A small Kwazulu-natal environmental group reached a bittersweet milestone last week.
The community-run Snare Aware team removed its thousandth snare from the bush.
“The fact that over 1,000 snares have been removed from the bush makes us both elated and relieved that they have been removed, but also angry and a little depressed that so many snares were in the bush.
“Our job is far from done, with many thousands of snares to go.
“But, we like to focus on the positive and have been happily reflecting on all the animals that have been saved,” the group said on its Facebook page.
Snare Aware is anonymous and even attempts by TIMESLIVE to contact its members were unsuccessful.
“We do not publicise our names; nor do we publicly share photos of ourselves or those involved at events.”
“As this is a professional organisation, and poaching in all forms is a sensitive issue, we must maintain our rules in order to protect everyone involved.
“We do not advertise events on public forums; nor do we add anyone that has not met our safety and security requirements,” the group states in its rules.
On Saturday afternoon, Snare Aware headed to Doon Heights and Karridene, south of Durban. “We were last in the Doon Heights area 10 days prior, when we swamped the area and removed another four snares, taking our tally to 34 snares removed.
“Unfortunately, some time between our last sweep and this weekend’s sweep, a snare was set which managed to catch a blue duiker. This poor animal tried frantically to release itself from the snare, evident by the number of times the wire had wrapped around the tree stem.
“Blue duiker are protected species due to their declining habitats and populations. The meat was very clearly harvested,” the team said.
Snare Aware believes the “culprits” setting these snares are workers from a nearby construction site.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo said snares are widespread on communal, municipal and farm land.
“It is not that widespread within the protected areas, though we still find isolated snare incidents,” he said.
Mntambo said Ezemvelo addressed the issues with foot patrols.
“Snaring is a concern which has a negative impact on the biodiversity and has caused a lot of mortality of wildlife.
“Some animals die an excruciating death, as those who set up snares may delay coming back and checking them,” he said.